Hog drop



` F.V fr. BREws-nfilav sepg, f1,- 1936 Find-Nom- 1'5, 19:54 l 4 sheets-Sheet 1 YS, .a 4.

BY I 56 *Y ATTORNEYV Sept. l, 1936.

F. T. BREwsTER v y2,052,749

HOG DROP l Filed Nov. 13, 1334 v 4' Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY v HoG DROP j 'Fil'd Nov. 15, 1934 4 sheets-sheet 4 Jim am@ my, s

Patented Sept. 1, 1936 Unirse srares agregar oeeice f HOG DROP Frederick T. Brewster, Watertown, S. Dak., asisigncr to Industrial Patents Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application ovember 13, 1934,V Serial No. 752,844

23 Claims. (Cl. 17-24) This invention relates to a device for automatically releasing a 'shackled object from a chain shackle.

One of the objects of the invention .is to provide means for releasing a shackled object from a shackle. y n

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic means for unshackling animals or animal carcasses.

VAnother object of the invention is to 4provide automatic means at the end of the bleeding rail to unshackle hog carcasses and to permit the hog carcass to drop free of the shackle.

Another object of the invention is to provide automatic means for transferring hog carcasses from the bleeding railto the scalding tub.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for transferring shackles, from which theV hog carcass has been removed, from the bleeding rail to a shacklerail for return to the shackler.

` Another object of the invention is to provide means'for positively controlling the passage of a hog carcass Vsuspended by a shackle from the bleeding rail, in operative relationship with means L for removing the nog carcass from the shackle.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic hog drop to cause a hog carcass suspended byl a shackle from the bleeding rail, to drop free of its 'shackle' into the scalding tub with-v out the-use of power other than that supplied by gravity. l y

Other objects of the invention-will be apparent from the description. and claims which follow.

In conventional abattoir practice, hogs are driven into` a shackling pen where a length of chain attached to a hook by a swivel and having a hook at the free end, is fastened about one hind foot of the hog. l'Ihe swivelled hook is placed on an elevating means which lifts thev hog from th floor and passes the hook to an overhead rail which carries thehog past an operator who opens the jugular vein with a knife. The bleeding-hog then passes to what is known as the bleeding rail,` which is an -overhead rail set at an inclination such that the hog moves the length of the rail by gravity and is usually acontinuation of the sticking rail. The rail is of sufcientlength to permit completion of bleeding by the time the hog reachesthe end of the rail, after which the lhog is removed and placed in a tub of warm water. At this juncture, the shackle is removed by hand, the hamstring is c ut, a hook is inserted and sus.-

pended by conveying means which carries the hog` 4 Ycarcass through tljescalding tub and thence to the dehairin'g'machine and the subsequent butch-V ering operations. In many cases the hogk is passed directly from the bleeding rail to the scald` ing tub and it is not unusual merely to permit the hog to float the length of the scalding tub without positive conveying means, other` than manual pushing and pulling with poles or hooks, but Ait is generally admitted to be better practice to drop' the hog carcass into an intermediate vessel coni taining warm water before transferring it to scalding water because of the possibility that the hog may be alive when it leaves the bleeding rail.

The present invention is concerned solely with the transfer of the hog carcass from the bleeding rail to the scalding tub. The term scalding tub as used in this specification and in the claims which follow, is used in the broad sense 'of int-lud? ingnot only a vessel lled with scalding' water designed to loosen the hair, and bristles, but also an intermediate vessel of the type to which refer! encerhas hereinbefore been made, and also to any table, shelf, floor, rack, vessel or the like, which f or convenience might be used as an accessory of, or ancillary to the scalding tub proper.

It will be understood of course, that in Vit broadest aspect, the present invention is an auto` matic drop for unshackling a shackled object, irrespective of the object shackled, the purpose for which the object is unshackled, or the place to which the object is dropped.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters in the several gures designate similar parts.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view illustrating the approach of a hog carcass to the drop mechanism. l f

Figure 3 is a plan .view showing parts of the apparatus below section line 3-3 of Figure 2, the hog carcass and shackle omitted.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing parts of the apparatus below section line 4 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 2. Y

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the man-g ner in which a shackled hog passes down the bleeding rail.

Figure 7 is a perspective View, showing a shackled hog foot in the position it assumes rel' ative to the shackle immediately preceding the freeing of the shackle.

Figure 8 is a detailed View of the guard for the small picker disks shown in perspective in Figure 1, but, for clearness, omitted from the remaining gures.

Figure 9 is a detailed side view, partly in section, showing the guard for the large picker disk.

Referring now more particularly to Figure l:

Bleeding rail is rigidly aixed to a plurality of supports 2 secured to beam 3 as by bolts 4. The beam 3 is fixed in an elevated position by suitable means not shown. Guard rails 5 and 6 are braced at spaced points by braces 1 and 8 respectively.

Brace 1 consists of the beam 9 resting on beam 3 and rods I8, II, |2 and I3, which are respectively secured to beam 9, as by nuts I4, I5, I6 and I1. Rods |8 and I I are rigidly affixed to guard rail 6 as by welding or otherwise at I8. Rods l2 and I3 are rigidly aiixed to guard rail 5 as by welding or otherwise at I9. It will be seen that rod |8 is bent at 28 and that rod I3 is bent at 2|, forming horizontal portions 22 and 23 respectively to take the thrust against guard rails 6 and 5 respectively from a swinging hog carcass passing between the guard rails 5 and 6 and bumping against these'guard rails in consequence of the swinging movement or sidesway which naturally accompanies the forward progress of the hog carcass, it being the purpose of guard rails 5 and 6 to reduce the tendency of the hog carcass to move other'than in an onward direction. It will be readily appreciated when the device of the present invention is clearly understood, that guard rails. 5 and 6 function also as guides, to steady thel moving hog carcass and guide it to the unshackling mechanism.

Brace'8 consists of beam 24, which like beam 9, `rests on beam 3, and of rods 25, 26, 21 and 28, respectively secured to beam 24 by nuts 29, 38, 3| and 32. Rods 25 and 26are rigidly aixed to guardv rail. 6 as by welding or otherwise at 33. The rods 21 and 28 are rigidly afXed'to guard rail. 5 as by welding or otherwise at 34. The rod 25 is bent at 35 forming straight portion 36. Rod 2 8 ,jisbent at 31, forming straight portion 38. Straight portions 36 and 38 take the thrust of hog carcasses bumping against rails 6 and 5 respectively in a manner similar to straight portions 22 and 23 of rods I8 and I3 respectively.

Rail 6 is bent at 39 and the end 48 of rail 6 ares away from the path 4I defined by the par-v allelportions of rails 5 and 6, thus positively guiding hog carcasses into path 4 I, through which the carcasses move in the direction of the arrow adjacent the Vreference character 4|, in Figure l.

Hog carcass 42, suspended from leg 43 by chain 44 aiiixed by swivel 45 to shank46 of hook 41 on bleeding rail I, comes from the sticking station, not shown, hook 41 sliding along inclined` 'Jbleeding rail l by the force of gravity.

The manner in which .hog carcass 42 is suspended is clearly shown, for example, in Figure caught around the standing part of chain 44 ad- 7port for plate 54 which also receives support i6, Where it will be seen that chain 44 is' looped about leg 43, forming bight 48 with hook 49 jacent leg 43.

After the hog42 passes brace 1, its direction of movement is further limited and controlled by converging guide rails 58 and 5| rigidly aixed to rod1| IV at 52 andl rod I2 at 53 respectively and deninga'progressively constricted passage converging in the direction of inclination of inc lined rail I.

Guide bar 5|).,is aiiixed to and provides supfrombrace bar 55 rigidly aflixed to plate 54 at 56 ,`and to beam V3 by nut 51. Similarly, guide bar 5I is rigidly aixed to and provides support for plate 58. Plate 58 is also braced by angle irons 59 and 68 respectively affixed to plate 58 at 6| and 62.

Angle iron 59 is rigidly axed to angle iron 63 at 64. Angle iron 68 is rigidly affixed to angle iron 65 at 66. Angle irons 63 and 65 are rigidly aixed to beam 3. Angle irons 59 and 68 are further mutually braced by strap 61 aixed to angle iron 59 at 68 and to angle iron 68 at 69. Strap v61 is bent at 10 and at 1I, forming a straight portion 12 to which is rigidly aflixed channel box 13.

Trip plate 14 is rigidly affixed to the end 15 of rod 16 which may be clearly seen by reference to Figure 2. The rod 16 is provided with eye 11, pivoted in eye 18. Eye 18 is rigidly affixed as by welding to angle iron 59, at 19. provided with eye 8| at its lower end, which is slipped down over the upper end of rod 18, forming a collar therefor. Rod 88 is supported at the bend 82 by eye 83, through which rod 88 passes. Eye 83 is rigidly aiiixed to angle 59 at 84. Portion 85 of rod 88 is bent downwardly to form a shackle stop, and in its normal operative position, contacts bleeding rail I at 86, thus preventing shackle hook 41 from passing oi bleeding rail I at the end 81.

It will be seen that pressure directed against the edge 88 of plate 14, will cause rod 16 to pivot on its eye 11 in eye 18, the rod 16 being free to move in slot 89 of plate 58, thus forcing the upper end 98 of rod 16 against collar 8|, causing rod 88 to pivot in eye 83 at the bend 82, raising up shackle stop 85 from its contact point 86 with bleeding rail I, permitting shackle hook 41 to slide oli the end 81 of bleedingr rail I and fall to shackle return rail 9|, which is rigidly affixed at its end 92 to channel box 13, which is shaped to form a guide for the positive deposition of the hook 41 on return shackle rail 9| to be carried back to the shackling pen.

It has been previously pointed out that guide bar 5I is affixed to and provides support for plate 58. It will be seen by reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, that guide bar 5I has a curved, strap-like end 93, upon which are mounted small picker disks 94, 95, 96 and 91, which are mo-unted above strap 93 by bolts 98, 99, |88, I8I, respectively. Bolts 98, 99, |88, and I8I pass through both strap 93 and plate 58, being held in position by nuts |82, |83, |84, and |85 respectively. Picker disks 94, 95, 96 and 91 are serrated at their peripheral edge to form a plurality of upwardly directed teeth |86, and are rotatively mounted with respect to bolts 98, 99, |88 and I8I. Picker disk plate |81 is pivotally mounted on plate 54 by means of bolt |88, held bynut |89. It will be seen that bolt |88 passes through guide bar 50 as well as plate 54, and serves to tie plate 54 to guide bar 58, avoiding the possibility of a pivotal movement about the point |I8, the point at which brace rod I II passes through plate 54 and bar 58, serving to aix bar 58v to plate 54. Rod III as may be seen by reference to Figure 1 is rigidly secured to beam 3 by nut I I2. c

Large picker disk ||3 is pivotally mounted on plate |81 by bolt I|4 held in place by nut II5. Picker diskl II3 is serratedat its peripheral edge to form upwardlyV extending teeth I|6, in co- |22 by means of bolt |23. Spring I2I is in con-` tact at its free end |24 with pin |25, rising above plate |81. Pin |25 passes through plate |81 and Rod 88 is extends below the lower surface of plate 54, the pivotal movement of plate |01 `on bolt |68 being limited by the travel of pin |25 in slot |26, provided in plate 54. The tension of spring |2| may be adjusted by taking up on bolt |21 with nut |28-, It will be seen by reference to Figure 3 that bolt |21 passes through spring 2| at |29 and passes through ilange |35 of guide bar 50 at |3|. It will be seen that spring |2| forces plate |01 to the position shown in Figure 3, with the pin |25 against the end |32 of slot |26. It will be seen also that pressure applied between the small picker disks and the large picker disk H3, will force plate |01 in a direction away from the small picker disks until pin |25 has reached the end |33 of slot |26.

`When a hog carcass approaches the end of its travel suspended on bleeding rail I, leg 43 first comes opposite picker disk 91. The length of the chain 44 is such that the bight 48 is above picker disk 91. As leg 43 passes picker disk 91, the teeth |66 of picker disk 61 are in contact with the surface of leg 43 and the bight 48 of chain 44 is resting on the upper surface of picker disk 91.

As the hog carcass continues its progress, leg 43 next contacts the edge 88 of plate 14. As it continues its progress it forces plate 14 before it and comes opposite small picker disk 96, which like picker disk 91, rotates and offers substantially no resistance to the progress of the carcass. At this juncture, due to the inclination of the bleeding rail hook 41 is lower than it was when leg 46 was opposite picker disk 91, and the blght 46 is now receiving support from both picker disk 96 and large picker disk H3, causing slack in chain 44, as is clearly shown in Figure 7. At this point, the bight 46 is no longer drawn taut about leg 43, and due to the weight of the hog, leg 43 slips out of the shackle and hog 42 falls into the scalding tub |34. Guard rails 5 and 6 are rigidly afnxed to splash board |43 as at |35 and |36.

At the instant of falling, hog 42 has reached the limit of its forward progress by reason of the impedance of plate 14, which has reached the limit of its movement and caused shackle stop 65 to rise at its end from its contact at 86 on bleeding rail permitting hook 41 to slide ofi' end 1S and drop through channel block guide 13 to return shackled rail 9 i, which has an inclination opposite to that of bleeding rail and is set at an angle thereto, as may be clearly seen by reference to Figure 4. The bight 48 passes around in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 3, being supported in its path by picker disks 95 and H3, and 94 and H3.

In order to prevent shackle chains from pilling up on the picker disks, guards are provided.

The guard |31 is shown in detail in Figure 8. It consists of strap |38 mounted on plate 58 to form a support, to which arc-shaped shield |39 is hinged at |46', being balanced by Weight |4| so that the edge of shield |39 is over the small picker disks 94, 65, 96 and 51, and assists in carrying the slack in the chain. Guard |42 performs a similar function for large picker disk H3.

Although for clearness andvto avoid excessive detail, only one hog is shown in Figure 1, it Will be understood that in large scale operations,` the bleeding rail may be closely packed with hogs. To assure uniform operation of the device, it is desirable to permit but one hog to approach the picker disks at a time and to relieve the approaching hog of the pressure of a plurality of hogs behind. This may be done by any desired means.-

An effective means is shown in Figure 1. Stop |45 is provided to control the feeding of hogs to the hog drop. Its operation will be readily understood by reference to Figure l. Plate |46 is rigidly aixed to beam 3 and is positioned so that the edge |41 is over and slightly to one side of bleeding rail I, being held in position as by screws |48 and |49. y

Link |50 is pivoted on pin |5| afxed to plate |46. Spring |52 is attached to link |50 at |53 and to beam 3 at |54 and serves to pull arm |55 of link |50 downwardly. The opposite position may be controlled by an operator, not shown, by pulling on line |56. Line |56 passes over pulley |51 suspended from support |58 and is attached at to link |50. Sleeve |60 is mounted on plate |46. Within sleeve |60 is slidably mounted pin |6|, to which is attached link |62 at |63. Link |62 is aixed to arm |55 of link |50 at |64. Pin |65 is slidably mounted in sleeve |69 and is affixed to link |66 at |61. Link |66 is aiiixed to arm |61 of link |50 at |68. The mounting of link |62 and |66 at |64 and |68 is a pivotal mounting, as is the connection between pin |6| and link |62 at |63, and the mounting of pin |65 to link |66 at |61.

It will be seen by reference to Figure 1 that when the line |56 is drawn taut, pin |6| is drawn up in sleeve |66 and pin |65 passing down through sleeve |69 contacts bleeding rail When line |56 is released, spring |52 pulling on arm |55 causes link |50' to pivot at |5| forcing pin |6| downwardly and sleeve |60 into contact with bleeding rail and draws pin |65 upwardly in sleeve |66 out of contact with bleeding rail It will be seen, therefore, that by manipulation of line |56,a single shackle hook may be permitted to pass under stop |45, alternate shackle hooks being stopped by pins |60 and |65.

The present invention affords a convenient, inexpensive, automatic device whereby hogs passing down the bleeding rail may be unshackled, deposited in the scalding tub and the shackles returned to the shackler, as shackle |16 is being returned in Figure 1. I

The operation is simple and involves merely supporting the bight of the shackle chain about the hogs leg while the shackle hook slides downwardly along the bleeding rail permitting the slack in the shackle chain, thus causing the hog to be released from the shackle, which may then be returned to the shackler on another inclined rail, which receives the shackle hook when it falls from the bleeding rail.

t will be understood that the present invention is not limited to the details of the preferred embodiment which have heretofore been described and that changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined in the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising rotatable picker disks, an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs to the picker disks, and guides for said hogs, said picker disks being adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough.

2. A device of the class described comprising cooperatively disposed picker disks, an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs to the picker disks, and guides for said hogs, said picker disks being adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough.

3. A device of the class described comprising rotatable picker disks, an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs to the picker disks, guides for said hogs, and a shackle stop operative by contact oi the hog passing between said picker disks, said picker disks being adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough.

Ll.,A device of the classdescribed comprising rotatable picker disks, an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs to the picker disks, guides for said-hogs, a shackle stopfoperative by contact o1 the hog passing between said picker disks and a shackle return rail adapted to receive shackles from the rst mentioned ra-il, said picker disks being adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough.

5. A device of the class described comprising rotatable picker disks, Aan inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs to the picker disks, guides for said hogs, a shackle stop operative contact of the hog passing between said picker disks, a shackle return rail adapted to receive shackles from the rst mentioned rail, and guide means to control the transfer of said shackles from said iirstmentioned rail to said shackle return rail, said picker` disks being adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough.

6. A device of the class described comprising rotatable picker disks, arr inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs to the picker disks, guides for said hogs, a shackle stop operative by contact of the hog passing between said picker disks, a shackle return rail adapted to receive shackles from the f irst mentioned rail, and guide means to control the transfer of .said shackles from said first mentioned rail to said shackle return rail, said picker disks being serrated at their peripheral edges and adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough.

'7. A device of the class described comprising rotatable picker disks, an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs to the picker disks, guides for said hogs, a shackle stop operative by contact of the hog passing between said picker disks, a shackle return rail adapted to receive shackles from the first mentioned rail, and guide means to control the transfer of said shackles from said first mentioned rail to said shackle return rail, said picker disks being serrated at their peripheral edges, arranged to flank a constricted passage into which a shackled hog leg may be led, and adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough.

' 8. A device .of the class described comprising rotatable picker disks, an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackleol hogs to the picker disks, guides for said hogs, a shackle stop operative by contact of the hog passing between said picker disks, a shackle return rail adapted to receive shackles from the rst mentioned rail, and guide means to control the transfer of said shackles from said first mentioned rail to said shackle return rail, said picker disks being serrated at their peripheral edges, arranged to flank a constricted passage into which a shackled hog leg may be led, and adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough, the picker disks on opposite sides of said constricted passage being movable relative to each other. Y

9. A device of the class described comprising an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs, guides for said hogs, cooperatively disposed, rotatable picker disks adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough, ya shackle stop operative by contact of the hog passing between said picker disks, a shackle revturn rail adapted to receive shackles from the first mentioned rail, and guide means to control the transfer of said shackles `from said first mentioned rail to said shackle return rail, said picker disks beingserrated at their peripheral edges and arranged to flank a constricted passage into which a shackled hog leg may be led, picker disks on opposite sides of said constricted passage being movable relative to each other, the inclination of said first mentioned rail being such, relative to said picker disks, as to permit slackening the shackley chain during the passage of a hog between said picker disks.

l0.k A device of the class described comprising an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs, guides for said hogs, cooperatively disposed, rotatable picker disks adaptedto release shackles from hogs passing therethrough, a shackle stop operative by contact of the hog passing between said picker disks, a shackle return rail` adapted to receive shackles Vfrom the irst mentioned rail, and guide `means to control the transfer'of said shackles from said rst mentioned-rail to said shackle return rail, said picker disks being serrated at their peripheral edges and arranged to iiank a constricted passage into which a shackled hog leg may be led, picker disks on opposite sides `of said constricted passage being movable relative to each other, the inclination of said iirst mentioned rail being such, relative to said picker disks, as' to permit slackening the shackle chain during the passage of a hog between said picker disks, and means foroontrolling the feed of hogs to said picker disks.

ll. A device of the class described comprising an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled hogs, guides for said hogs, -cooperatively disposed, rotatable picker disks adapted to release shackles from hogs passing therethrough, a shackle stop operative by contact of the hog passing between saidV picker disks, a shackle re-Y turn rail adapted to receive shackles from the rst mentioned rail, and guide means to control the transfer of said shackles from said first mentioned rail to said shackle return rail, said picker disks being serrated at their peripheral edges and arranged to flank a constricted passage intowhich a shackled hog leg may be lead, picker disks on o-pposite sides of said constricted passage being movable relative to *eachV other, the inclination of said rst mentioned rail being such, relative to said picker disks, as to permit slackening the shackle chain during the passage ofV a hog between said picker disks, and means for controlling the feed of hogs to said picker disks, said feed control means comprising pins alternately contactable with said iirst mentioned rail.

12. In a device of the class described, a.V plur-ality of relatively small xed picker disks, arranged in series in an arc, and a relatively large picker disk spaced from said small picker disks and positioned within said arc.

13. In a device of the class described, a pludisk being mounted to permit movement a greater distance from said small picker disks, all of said picker disks having serrated peripheral edges.

15. In a device of the class described, a plurality of relatively small fixed picker disks, ar-

ranged in series in an arc, and a relatively large picker disk spaced from said small picker disks and positioned within said arc, said large picker disk being mounted to permit movement a greater distance from said small picker disks, all of said picker disks having serrated peripheral edges forming upwardly directed teeth.

16. In a device of the class describe-d, a plurality of relatively small fixed picker disks, arranged in series in an arc, and a relatively large picker disk spaced from said small picker disks and positioned within said arc, said large picker disk being `mounted. to permit movement a greater dist-ance from said small picker disks, all of said picker disks having serrated peripheral edges forming upwardly directed teeth, and a dog in cooperative relationship with the teeth of the said large picker disk, whereby rotation of the large picker disk is permitted only in harmony with the forward movement of a heg passing between said opposed picker disks.

1'7. In a device of the cl-ass described, a shackle stop, and means operative by hogs being unshackled to operate said shackle stop.

18. In a device of the class described, a shackle stop comprising a plate positioned in the line of travel of shackled hogs, a rod rigidly axed to said plate and pivotally mounted to a frame, said rod slidable in an eye in a rod pivotally mounted at a remote point from said eye and having a portion bent at said eye forming a bearing from which sai-d last mentioned rod may pivot, and having an end adapted to normally block shackles on a rail contacted by said end, said last mentioned rod being so positioned that said end in contact with said rail may be lifted from ccntact therewith by reason of pressure applied to the edge of said plate whereby said plate and said rods in :cooperation with said eye form a linkage system for the operation of said shackle block.

19. In a device of the class described including an inclined bleeding rail, a stop and feed mechanism in cooperative relation with said bleeding rail comprising a pair of sleeves, pins in said sleeves, links pivotally connected with said pins and pivotally connected with either arm of a pivoted link whereby pins may be alternately contacted with said rail and means to effect s-aid alternating contact.

20. In a device of the class described, a picker disk mounted on a picker disk plate, said picker disk plate pivotally mounted on a fixed plate, a. pin in said picker disk plate, a slot in said fixed plate, said pin positioned to ride in said slot, a spring urging said picker disk plate in one direction, said spring being yieldable whereby pressure applied to said picker disk will cause said pin to ride in said slot to the opposite end thereof, said picker disk being rotatably mounted and a spring urged dog in cooperative rel-ationship with teeth on the peripheral edge of said picker disk.

21. In a device of the class described, including an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled carcasses, spaced guide rails defining the line of travel of the carcasses to restrict sidesway, means for releasing shackles from said shackled carcasses and means above said guide rails for directing said carcasses, between said releasing means.

22. In a device of the class described, including an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled carcasses, parallel guide rails den ing the line of travel of the carcasses, positioned at the body portion of the carcasses to restrict sidesway thereof, guide rails above said rst mentioned guide rails, said last mentioned guide rails converging inwardly to form a constricted passage, and means flanking said passage to unshackle carcasses passing therethrough.

23. In a device of the class described, including an inclined rail for the gravity conveyance of shackled carcasses, parallel guide rails deining the line of travel of the carcasses, positioned at the body portion of the carcasses to restrict sidesway thereof, converging guide rails above the parallel guide rails dening a progressively constricted passage converging in the direction of inclination of the inclined rail, and rotatable picker disks flanking the passage adapted to unshackle carcasses passing therethrough.

FRED T. BREWSTER.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,052,749. September l, 1956.

FREDERICK T. BREWSTER.

lt is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page l, first column, line 52, for "hamstring" read gam string; page Z, first column, line 49, for the reference numeral "'78" read 87; line 50, for "shaclaled" read shackle; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of October, A. D. 1936.

Henry Van Arsdale (Seal) Y j I Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

